Suitcase with Retractable Handle Assembly

ABSTRACT

A suitcase includes a main body and a retractable handle assembly mounted on the main body. The handle assembly includes two outer pipes and at least two inner pipes retractably mounted in the outer pipes respectively. Each of the inner pipes and the outer pipes of the handle assembly is made of a plastic pipe which is formed by a primary material and an auxiliary material. The primary material and the auxiliary material are initially mixed and fused, and are then extruded and molded to form the plastic pipe of each of the inner pipes and the outer pipes of the handle assembly. The primary material includes polycarbonate (PC) or polyoxymethylene (POM). The auxiliary material includes fiber. The fiber of the auxiliary material includes glass fiber or carbon fiber.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a suitcase and, more particularly, to a suitcase with a retractable handle assembly.

2. Description of the Related Art

A conventional suitcase in accordance with the prior art shown in FIGS. 1 and 1 a comprises a main body 30 and a retractable handle assembly 32 mounted on the back face of the main body 30. The handle assembly 32 includes two outer pipes and two inner pipes retractably mounted in the outer pipes respectively. Each of the inner pipes and the outer pipes of the handle assembly 32 is made of metallic material, such as aluminum, iron or the like, so that each of the inner pipes and the outer pipes of the handle assembly 32 needs a surface treatment, such as oxidating, electroplating, painting and the like. However, each of the inner pipes and the outer pipes of the handle assembly 32 is made of metallic material, thereby increasing the cost of fabrication of the suitcase. In addition, each of the inner pipes and the outer pipes of the handle assembly 32 is made of metallic material, thereby increasing the whole weight of fabrication of the suitcase. Further, each of the inner pipes and the outer pipes of the handle assembly 32 is made of metallic material which usually needs a surface treatment, thereby easily causing an environmental pollution. Further, each of the inner pipes and the outer pipes of the handle assembly 32 is made of metallic material which has a poor restoring function so that each of the inner pipes and the outer pipes of the handle assembly 32 will be distorted or deformed easily when being subjected to a collision as shown in FIG. 1 a.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a suitcase, comprising a main body and a retractable handle assembly mounted on a back face of the main body. The handle assembly includes a top seat mounted on the main body, a base mounted on the main body, two outer pipes each mounted between the top seat and the base, at least two inner pipes retractably mounted in the outer pipes respectively, and a handgrip mounted between the inner pipes. Each of the inner pipes and the outer pipes of the handle assembly is made of a plastic pipe which is formed by a primary material and an auxiliary material. The primary material and the auxiliary material are initially mixed and fused, and are then extruded and molded to form the plastic pipe of each of the inner pipes and the outer pipes of the handle assembly. The primary material includes polycarbonate (PC). The auxiliary material includes fiber.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a suitcase, comprising a main body and a retractable handle assembly mounted on a back face of the main body. The handle assembly includes a top seat mounted on the main body, a base mounted on the main body, two outer pipes each mounted between the top seat and the base, at least two inner pipes retractably mounted in the outer pipes respectively, and a handgrip mounted between the inner pipes. Each of the inner pipes and the outer pipes of the handle assembly is made of a plastic pipe which is formed by a primary material and an auxiliary material. The primary material and the auxiliary material are initially mixed and fused, and are then extruded and molded to form the plastic pipe of each of the inner pipes and the outer pipes of the handle assembly. The primary material includes polyoxymethylene (POM). The auxiliary material includes fiber.

Preferably, the fiber of the auxiliary material includes glass fiber.

Preferably, the fiber of the auxiliary material includes carbon fiber.

Preferably, at least one of the inner pipes and the outer pipes of the handle assembly has a peripheral wall provided with at least one reinforcement rib.

According to the primary advantage of the present invention, each of the inner pipes and the outer pipes of the handle assembly is made of plastic material to decrease the cost of fabrication of the suitcase.

According to another advantage of the present invention, each of the inner pipes and the outer pipes of the handle assembly is made of plastic material to decrease the whole weight of the suitcase.

According to a further advantage of the present invention, each of the inner pipes and the outer pipes of the handle assembly is made of plastic material without needing a surface treatment so as to satisfy an environmental protection requirement.

According to a further advantage of the present invention, each of the inner pipes and the outer pipes of the handle assembly is made of plastic material so that each of the inner pipes and the outer pipes of the handle assembly has a better restoring function and will not be distorted or deformed easily due to a collision.

Further benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent after a careful reading of the detailed description with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional suitcase in accordance with the prior art.

FIG. 1 a is a schematic operational view of the conventional suitcase as shown in FIG. 1 after it is hit.

FIG. 2 is a rear view of a suitcase in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a partially perspective extended view of the suitcase as shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a pipe of a suitcase in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a top cross-sectional view of the pipe of the suitcase as shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a top cross-sectional view of a pipe of a suitcase in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a top cross-sectional view of a pipe of a suitcase in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings and initially to FIGS. 2 and 3, a suitcase in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a main body 10 and a retractable handle assembly 20 mounted on a back face of the main body 10.

The handle assembly 20 includes a top seat 23 mounted on the main body 10, a base 24 mounted on the main body 10, two outer pipes 21 each mounted between the top seat 23 and the base 24, at least two inner pipes 22 retractably mounted in the outer pipes 21 respectively, and a handgrip 25 mounted between the inner pipes 22. When in use, the handgrip 25 is driven upward to pull the inner pipes 22 outward from the outer pipes 21 respectively as shown in FIG. 3 for use with a user. When not in use, the handgrip 25 is driven downward to retract the inner pipes 22 into the outer pipes 21 respectively as shown in FIG. 2 so as to reduce the whole volume of the handle assembly 20.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, each of the inner pipes 22 and the outer pipes 21 of the handle assembly 20 is made of a plastic pipe which is formed by a primary material and an auxiliary material. The primary material and the auxiliary material are initially mixed and fused, and are then extruded and molded to form the plastic pipe of each of the inner pipes 22 and the outer pipes 21 of the handle assembly 20. The primary material includes polycarbonate (PC) or polyoxymethylene (POM). The auxiliary material includes fiber. The fiber of the auxiliary material includes glass fiber or carbon fiber.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, at least one of the inner pipes 22 and the outer pipes 21 of the handle assembly 20 has a peripheral wall provided with at least one reinforcement rib 26 to enhance the structural strength of the handle assembly 20.

Referring to FIG. 6, at least one of the inner pipes 22 and the outer pipes 21 of the handle assembly 20 has a substantially circular shape.

Referring to FIG. 7, at least one of the inner pipes 22 and the outer pipes 21 of the handle assembly 20 has a substantially oblong shape.

Alternatively, at least one of the inner pipes 22 and the outer pipes 21 of the handle assembly 20 has a substantially polygonal, rectangular, square, trapezium or D-shaped profile.

Accordingly, each of the inner pipes 22 and the outer pipes 21 of the handle assembly 20 is made of plastic material to decrease the cost of fabrication of the suitcase. In addition, each of the inner pipes 22 and the outer pipes 21 of the handle assembly 20 is made of plastic material to decrease the whole weight of the suitcase. Further, each of the inner pipes 22 and the outer pipes 21 of the handle assembly 20 is made of plastic material without needing a surface treatment so as to satisfy an environmental protection requirement. Further, each of the inner pipes 22 and the outer pipes 21 of the handle assembly 20 is made of plastic material so that each of the inner pipes 22 and the outer pipes 21 of the handle assembly 20 has a better restoring function and will not be distorted or deformed easily due to a collision.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment(s) as mentioned above, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. It is, therefore, contemplated that the appended claim or claims will cover such modifications and variations that fall within the true scope of the invention. 

1. A suitcase, comprising: a main body; and a retractable handle assembly mounted on a back face of the main body; wherein the handle assembly includes a top seat mounted on the main body, a base mounted on the main body, two outer pipes each mounted between the top seat and the base, at least two inner pipes retractably mounted in the outer pipes respectively, and a handgrip mounted between the inner pipes; each of the inner pipes and the outer pipes of the handle assembly is made of a plastic pipe which is formed by a primary material and an auxiliary material; the primary material and the auxiliary material are initially mixed and fused, and are then extruded and molded to form the plastic pipe of each of the inner pipes and the outer pipes of the handle assembly; the primary material includes polycarbonate (PC); and the auxiliary material includes fiber.
 2. The suitcase of claim 1, wherein the fiber of the auxiliary material includes glass fiber.
 3. The suitcase of claim 1, wherein the fiber of the auxiliary material includes carbon fiber.
 4. The suitcase of claim 1, wherein at least one of the inner pipes and the outer pipes of the handle assembly has a peripheral wall provided with at least one reinforcement rib.
 5. The suitcase of claim 1, wherein at least one of the inner pipes and the outer pipes of the handle assembly has a substantially circular or oblong shape.
 6. A suitcase, comprising: a main body; and a retractable handle assembly mounted on a back face of the main body; wherein the handle assembly includes a top seat mounted on the main body, a base mounted on the main body, two outer pipes each mounted between the top seat and the base, at least two inner pipes retractably mounted in the outer pipes respectively, and a handgrip mounted between the inner pipes; each of the inner pipes and the outer pipes of the handle assembly is made of a plastic pipe which is formed by a primary material and an auxiliary material; the primary material and the auxiliary material are initially mixed and fused, and are then extruded and molded to form the plastic pipe of each of the inner pipes and the outer pipes of the handle assembly; the primary material includes polyoxymethylene (POM); and the auxiliary material includes fiber.
 7. The suitcase of claim 6, wherein the fiber of the auxiliary material includes glass fiber.
 8. The suitcase of claim 6, wherein the fiber of the auxiliary material includes carbon fiber.
 9. The suitcase of claim 6, wherein at least one of the inner pipes and the outer pipes of the handle assembly has a peripheral wall provided with at least one reinforcement rib.
 10. The suitcase of claim 6, wherein at least one of the inner pipes and the outer pipes of the handle assembly has a substantially circular or oblong shape. 